It is a privilege to live in the United States of America. We can travel, own, shop and become educated whenever and wherever we chose. Yet, amidst all of the liberties and freedom we currently experience and enjoy, we must be cog...

I'm inspired once again. As an undergrad I produced a one issue sample magazine called 'Boyz 2 Men.' This was precisely my vision and my desire as a women to see excellence and produce desire and passion aong our men and young men. With a PR bac...

It is a privilege to live in the United States of America. We can travel, own, shop and become educated whenever and wherever we chose. Yet, amidst all of the liberties and freedom we currently experience and enjoy, we must be cognizant of the fact that as people of color, this freedom was purchased with the blood of our ancestors. So, in light of this hallmark year in American History with the 50th Anniversary of the death of Dr. Martin L. King Jr. and the March on Washington, we would be remiss as an organization not to stop to pay homage to all those who suffered to make our way just a little easier.

There are Civil Rights icons and still thousands of nameless faces that stepped up to the plate and labored for a harvest that many would never live to see come to pass. To all of them we owe a debt of gratitude! One of the goals of Tied To Greatness is to not only affirm the greatness that is resident in the lives of young men of color, but to always remind them that it is intrinsically linked to a lineage of great men and women whose shoulders we all stand on. ~ Dr. Ellis

UNCF + TTG = Empower Me!

Tied To Greatness is honored and excited to be part of the United Negro College Fund’s (UNCF) Empower Me Tour for the 2013-2014 season! Now in its sixth year, the Empower Me Tour – a partnership between UNCF and Wells Fargo – was created to empower a movement committed to developing a robust college-going culture among African American and other students of color.

The Empower Me Tour is a free, traveling college- and career-readiness road show that brings entertainers, community activists and educational partners to various Tour stops to inspire young men of color to make education the foundation of their goals and dreams. Tied To Greatness will be a featured part of the agenda at each full Empower Me Tour stop nationwide. We encourage all young men and adult men to come out and participate when the Empower Me Tour comes to your city. Go to www.empowermetour.org to register!

The New Faces of Tied To Greatness

By TTG StaffOn October 5th, Dr. Alex Ellis and seven exceptional young men gathered on the Princeton University campus to make a statement: We are Tied To Greatness! These young men were selected to be the faces of the new Tied To Greatness marketing campaign and will be featured on the organization’s website as well as in advertising and promotions nationally and abroad.

The models were dressed in clothing provided through the generosity of private donors. Although dressed to impress, Dr. Ellis reminded the young men that clothes don’t make the man - what is worn on the outside is simply a reflection of what is on the inside. Dr. Ellis impressed upon the models that they are born with brilliance, creativity and much more, adding, “Don’t think you have swag because you’re wearing a particular label. You have swag, because there is greatness on the inside of you.”

Stay tuned for the updated website, photos and other promotional material featuring these inspiring young men. In the meantime, take a look at a little bit of what went on behind-the-scenes in a video produced by our friends from the C. Washington Group. Photography provided by Tyler Trippett, and videography provided by Rashied Amon. View the behind-the scenes footage of the Tied To Greatness photo shoot.

Dr. Alex Ellis Honored With 2013 Dandy Award

By TTG StaffThe Dandy Awards, presented by the C. Washington Group, is an evening celebration saluting men who have displayed exquisite style and poise while positively impacting their industry and community. On November 2nd, Dr. Alex Ellis was one of eight men honored at a gala event in Philadelphia, PA for thriving in their respective fields of Fashion, Entertainment, Business, Education and Philanthropy. Proceeds from the 2013 Dandy Awards benefited the Being Beautiful Foundation, which is dedicated to the empowerment of gifted youth. View the 2013 Dandy Awards video promo.

November is National Adoption Month

By TTG Staff
November is National Adoption Month – a time to raise awareness about the urgent need for adoptive families for children in foster care in the U.S. Did you know there are more than 100,000 children and youth in foster care in the U.S. who are waiting for permanent families? Studies show children of color enter foster care at disproportional rates than their share of the general population.

The Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care reports that in 2011, black children made up 14 percent of all children but accounted for 27 percent of foster children. Once in foster care, African-American children remain in the system on average far longer than Caucasian children.

It has been some time since you have heard from Tied To Greatness, but we’ve been hard at work reaching young men across the nation. From our humble beginning in 2008 when we launched our first National Tour in Harlem, New York, we have taught more than 5,000 young men how to tie a tie, and we have provided an opportunity for adult men to connect with the next generation in a most profound and significant way.

I must admit, when I started Tied To Greatness I just intended to impact the lives of young men of color. During this journey, however, I have been elated to witness the transformation that has taken place in many men. Many of them had strained relationships with their own sons, but by participating in our events they felt a new zeal to go back and rectify those relationships. The men saw how much of an impact they made on the young men they met and mentored during our event. I have also had the privilege of teaching many adult men how to tie a tie, because no one ever taught them; now they can turn around and teach their sons. We are working to reestablish a generation exchange in grooming.

This is just the beginning we have garnered many partnerships since we started I am most proud of the work we have begun to do with the Disney Dreamer’s Academy, the Steve Harvey Foundation, Ne-Yo’s Compound Foundation, and the list goes on. The year 2013 holds so many promising milestones for Tied To Greatness, so we welcome your support and prayers because it indeed takes a village. Society has written off our young men, but we firmly believe that they are tied to greatness! ~Alex

Tied To Greatness Academy
Toward the end of this year, we plan to establish a Tied To Greatness Academy in New Jersey. Whereas the Tied To Greatness National Tour and image workshops are one-day programs, the TTG Academy will allow us to work with a group of male students over an extended period of time.

We believe the foundation for building great men rests in seven areas: Image, Civic Responsibility, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Education, Culture and Faith. At the TTG Academy, young men of color will engage in a one-year intensive training program that will empower them to become well rounded, cultured and responsible men with a passion and purpose to effect change. Through a rich curriculum, mentors and exposure to things they have never seen before, we aim to produce a stellar group of young men of color who are determined to impact the world and their community for good!

Stay tuned for more information about the Tied To Greatness Academy and how you can support this worthwhile effort!

Got A Blue Blazer?

By TTG Staff
Recently, Alex Ellis, Founder and CEO of Tied To Greatness, made his annual presentation at the Disney Dreamer’s Academy with Steve Harvey. He spoke with 50 young men of color from across the nation about the power of image. It was a powerful event! The young were compelled to carry themselves with a true sense of dignity and class, and to move toward making their dreams a reality.

During his presentation, Alex made the point that a navy blue blazer is the symbol of basic professional business attire and a staple in any distinguished man’s wardrobe. Unbeknownst to Alex, one of the executives from the National Black MBA Association was present. He was so inspired by Alex’s presentation that he went back to headquarters and developed The Blue Blazer Ceremony for their high school students who participate in their Leaders Of Tomorrow program.

In a ceremony unique to the world, National Black MBA Association chapter presidents demonstrated the organization’s investment in students’ lives and careers by presenting them with blue blazers. Alex was privileged to be the keynote speaker for this ceremony during their national convention. He was moved that such a prestigious organization would make such an investment in the image of the next generation of leaders. It is very easy for us to complain about how we feel our young people look, but we must begin to invest in grooming our own to prepare them for the bright futures they have.

Are You “Successful” or SIGNIFICANT?

By Alex Ellis
In America, we can easily be driven in our pursuit for the material. Whether it’s an increase in salary, a new car, a larger home or fine clothing, there is a spirit that is pervasive in our culture that compels you to always want more.

Now, I will be the first to admit that there is fruit that comes from your hard honest labor that anyone has the right to enjoy. However, if we are not careful, we will begin to measure our success by our ability to attain things. I came to a point in life where I had achieved a measure of “success,” but still felt empty. I felt that there just had to be more. The thing I longed for was significance. And they are not one in the same.

You can be very successful and yet be void of significance. To me, significance is leading a life that is beneficial to others. This is what drove me to start Tied To Greatness. I had a burning desire for my life to matter to others. I wanted to leave a legacy and leave the world better than I found it. And I want the same for you. I want you to find that place of significance. It is different for us all, but the result is the same – a better world.

So I challenge you to find a way to matter to others and give back in a significant way. And that’s not always in money but in just using all that you are to make someone else’s life better. I promise you there is no greater feeling than knowing that your life has transcended success and moved to significance.

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Tied To Greatness at Abundant Life Family Worship ChurchFriday, January 29, 2010

Tied To Greatness will be presented at the Abundant Life Family Worship Chuch on Saturday, February 20, 2010 from 10:00 am to 12:30pm. Young men between the ages of 11 to 20 are invited to participate. We encourage men to come out in a suit and tie so we can impact the next generation. All the young men will receive a tie for their participation.

The Theta Theta Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. today announced that Alex O. Ellis, Founder of Tied To Greatness™, will be the keynote speaker for the 30th Annual MLK Day Celebration Dinner on Sunday, January 17, 2010. The event, in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, will be held at the Park Inn Am Friedensplatz 1. 68165 Mannheim, Germany at 4:00 p.m.